Posted on 05/25/2009 11:18:08 AM PDT by wagglebee
AUGUSTA, Maine, May 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A homosexualist group is seeking to strip the Catholic Diocese of Portland of its tax-exempt status, after the diocese announced it would gather support for a voter's referendum on the new same-sex "marriage" law.
The California-based Empowering Spirits Foundation filed the challenge Wednesday claiming that the Church's signature-gathering violates IRS rules forbidding partisan political activity by non-profit organizations.
"By their individuals going on television, stating what they were doing, they're engaging in lobbying activities which is prohibited by the IRS for tax exempt purposes," objected Tyler Davis, a spokesperson for the Empowering Sprits Foundation, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Soon after Maine Gov. John Baldacci approved the state's same-sex "marriage" legislation May 6, the Portland diocese condemned the law and announced that it would support a voter's referendum to overturn it.
"Same-sex marriage is a dangerous sociological experiment that I believe will have negative consequences for society as a whole," said Bishop Richard Malone.
"Children will be taught in schools that same-sex marriage and traditional marriage are simply different expressions of the same thing, and that the logical and consistent understanding that marriage and reproduction are intrinsically linked is no longer valid," he continued. "These are profound changes that will reverberate throughout society with tragic consequences."
Diocesan spokesman Marc Mutty had said that the diocese "will play a lead role in organizing this petition drive to bring the issue before voters."
Concerning the homosexual-rights group's recent allegation, Mutty called it a "bogus attempt to sidetrack the campaign," and said the signature-gathering did not violate IRS rules.
True marriage supporters will need to collect 55,087 voters' signatures in order to bring the same-sex "marriage" question to the ballot, where Maine voters would have a chance to overturn the law. Proponents have 90 days after the congressional session's end in mid-June to gather support.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Maine Legalizes Homosexual "Marriage"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050605.html
Defending SIX THOUSAND YEARS of Judeo-Christian belief IS NOT "partisan political activity"!
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They may have a case. There are so many Homo priests there.
I thought they tried this in Californication with the Mormons, and it didn’t fly.
“Concerning the homosexual-rights group’s recent allegation, Mutty called it a “bogus attempt to sidetrack the campaign,” and said the signature-gathering did not violate IRS rules.”
Absolutely correct.
wagglebee,
How the hell many N.Y. & Mass. libs have moved to Maine?
Shove your cheap shots at the church where the sun doesn’t shine.
The tax exempt status is a way for the government to keep their thumb on churches. I would like to see it go, so churches would speak out as they should be doing.
It’s getting pretty ugly when a group ot fudge packers in Caliphonia start messing around in the politics of Maine.
Dont they have enough problems there with being turned down for marriage.?
My own Priest said at the Mass a few weeks ago that this was coming. When will American get tired of a group of sick individuals ruining this country. Homo’s ,ACLU., NAACP, ACORN damn. Its time to stop catering to these weirdo’s/
Ogunquit infestation ping.
Why doesn’t the IRS yank the tax exempt status of the Methodist church? http://www.mfsaiowa.org/MAY-2009-MFSAIowa-Memo.pdf
“I would like to see it go, so churches would speak out as they should be doing.”
That would open churches up for destructive taxes. Any city that wanted to close a church would just raise their property taxes or do audits.
It would close many many churches.
The real protection given to us by the constitution is that the government has no power to directly establish a religion or to control one. See how it has been twisted. Now there is this idea that the government can apply there own federal laws to determine if a church is allowed tax exempt status. In other words they can pressure the change of a religion. These federal laws are in effect a religion. They force you to give up your core beliefs.
Queers and other liberal groups are trying to back Christians into a small corner, force them to huddle in their churches and furtively worship. They want to minimise, if possible completely extinguish, any voice on issues from a Christian perspective. They know that for many years, Americans’ religious beliefs were their strongest basis of opposition to cultural evil, and they want it silenced.
Yes, it is. Don’t be surprised, though, when the government takes away the tax exempt status for all churches.
“Look for the rainbow flag.” Hmm, that tells you something right there.
It cannot be emphasized enough. Our constitutional right to practice religion is under attack by the radical homosexual agenda.
It has happened in Sweden and England and it is also happening here. The homosexual apologists say — why worry about gay marriage? How does Adam and Steve getting married on the other side of the hill hurt your marriage?
But in many places, like Massachusetts, Adam and Steve have got the judges and police on their side. They are coming after YOU.
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